U.S. patent number 6,576,074 [Application Number 09/757,148] was granted by the patent office on 2003-06-10 for pavement marking system.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Avery Dennison Corporation. Invention is credited to Raul J. Cabrera, William E. Floor, Steve L. Garren.
United States Patent |
6,576,074 |
Cabrera , et al. |
June 10, 2003 |
Pavement marking system
Abstract
A pavement marking system is disclosed comprising a legend layer
and a background layer of a contrasting color, preferably black.
The background layer has edges that extend beyond the edges of the
legend layer such that the background layer prevents contact of the
legend layer by coating materials during surface treatments of the
surrounding pavement surface.
Inventors: |
Cabrera; Raul J. (Marietta,
GA), Garren; Steve L. (Arlington Heights, IL), Floor;
William E. (Lawrenceville, GA) |
Assignee: |
Avery Dennison Corporation
(Pasadena, CA)
|
Family
ID: |
25046563 |
Appl.
No.: |
09/757,148 |
Filed: |
January 9, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
156/71; 404/12;
404/13 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E01F
9/512 (20160201) |
Current International
Class: |
E01F
9/04 (20060101); B32B 031/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;156/71 ;404/12,13 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Other References
Article regarding "Application of HotTape.RTM. Precut Symbols and
Legends", Bulletin HT2200, Oct. 1998. .
Wondermat advertisement; Popcorn International Inc. Aliso Viejo,
CA. 1996..
|
Primary Examiner: Osele; Mark A.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Jones Day
Claims
We claim:
1. A pavement marking system for providing a visible legend on a
pavement surface, the system comprising, a background layer
comprising at least one pre-cut piece of thermoplastic material for
providing a contrasting background for the visible legend, said
background layer adapted to be affixed to the pavement surface, and
a legend layer comprising at least one pre-cut piece of
thermoplastic material in a color contrasting with the color of
said background layer, said legend layer being adapted to be
affixed in cooperation with said background layer to provide a
visible message on a pavement surface, wherein said background
layer comprises a filler material, a first thermoplastic resin, a
second thermoplastic resin, plasticizer, wax, and pigment.
2. The pavement marking system of claim 1 wherein said legend layer
is adapted to be affixed in cooperation with said background layer
by being adapted to be affixed on the top surface of said
background layer.
3. The pavement marking system of claim 1 wherein said background
layer is provided with at least one pre-cut orifice therein
corresponding in size and shape to said at least one pre-cut piece
of thermoplastic material of said legend layer, and said legend
layer is adapted to be affixed in cooperation with said background
layer by being adapted to be affixed to the pavement surface
through said at least one pre-cut orifice in said background
layer.
4. The pavement marking system of claim 1 wherein the background
layer has an outer edge that is chamfered with respect to the
pavement surface.
5. The pavement marking system of claim 1 wherein the background
layer has one or more outer edges that define a regular geometric
shape.
6. The pavement marking system of claim 1 wherein said filler
material is selected from the group consisting of calcium
carbonate, talc, mica, barytes, fiberglass, glass beads, and
cullets, and combinations thereof.
7. The pavement marking system of claim 6 wherein said filler
material further comprises one or more additives selected from the
group consisting of suspending agents, thickeners, or
extenders.
8. The pavement marking system of claim 1 wherein said filler
material is present in the amount of about 60-85 wt % of said
background layer.
9. The pavement marking system of claim 8 wherein said filler
material is present in the amount of about 70-80 wt % of said
background layer.
10. The pavement marking system of claim 1 wherein said first
thermoplastic resin is selected from the group consisting of alkyd
resin, hydro resin, polyester resin, maleic resin, phenolic resin,
epoxy resin, acrylic resin, and combinations thereof.
11. The pavement marking system of claim 1 wherein said first
thermoplastic resin is present in the amount of about 7-15 wt
%.
12. The pavement marking system of claim 11 wherein said first
thermoplastic resin is present in the amount of about 8-10 wt
%.
13. The pavement marking system of claim 1 wherein said second
thermoplastic resin is selected from the group consisting of
polyamide resin, ethylene vinyl acetate resin, propylene vinyl
acetate resin, and polystyrene.
14. The pavement marking system of claim 1 wherein said second
thermoplastic resin is present in the amount of about 5-10 wt
%.
15. The pavement marking system of claim 14 wherein said second
thermoplastic resin is present in the amount of about 6-8 wt %.
16. The pavement marking system of claim 1 wherein said plasticizer
is present in the amount of about 3-8 wt %.
17. The pavement marking system of claim 16 wherein said
plasticizer is present in the amount of about 4-6 wt %.
18. The pavement marking system of claim 1 wherein said wax is
selected from the group consisting of paraffin wax, polyethylene
wax, and polypropylene wax.
19. The pavement marking system of claim 1 wherein said wax is
present in the amount of about 1-4 wt %.
20. The pavement marking system of claim 19 wherein said wax is
present in the amount of about 1.5-2.5 wt %.
21. The pavement marking system of claim 1 wherein said pigment is
present in the amount of less than about 0.5 wt %.
22. The pavement marking system of claim 1 wherein said background
layer further includes anti-oxidant.
23. The pavement marking system of claim 1 wherein said background
layer further includes one or more additives selected from the
group consisting of leveling agents, anti-corrosion agents, and UV
stabilizers.
24. A method of providing a visible message on a pavement surface,
the method comprising (a) providing a background layer adapted to
be affixed to a pavement surface, said background layer comprising
a filler material, a first thermoplastic resin, a second
thermoplastic resin, plasticizer, wax, and pigment, (b) affixing
said background layer to said pavement surface, (c) providing a
legend layer separate from said background layer and adapted to be
affixed in cooperation with said background layer, and (d) affixing
said legend layer in cooperation with said background layer to
provide a pavement marking system.
25. The method of claim 24 wherein step (d) is accomplished by
affixing said legend layer to the top of said background layer.
26. The method of claim 25 wherein said legend layer is affixed to
said background layer by means of an adhesive.
27. The method of claim 25 wherein said legend layer is affixed to
said background layer by means of fusing means.
28. The method of claim 24 wherein said background layer has at
least one pre-cut orifice therethrough, and at least a portion of
said legend layer is positioned within said at least one orifice,
and step (d) is accomplished by affixing said legend layer to said
pavement surface.
29. The method of claim 28 wherein said legend layer is affixed to
said pavement surface by means of an adhesive.
30. The method of claim 28 wherein said legend layer is applied to
said pavement surface by means of fusing means.
31. The method of claim 30 wherein said legend layer is positioned
in said at least one orifice of said background layer prior to step
(b), and steps (b) and (d) are accomplished in a single step.
32. The method of claim 24 wherein said background layer is affixed
to said pavement surface by means of an adhesive.
33. The method of claim 24 wherein said background layer is affixed
to said pavement surface by fusing means.
34. In a pavement marking system for providing a visible message on
a pavement surface and including a legend layer that conveys a
message to one viewing the pavement marking system, the improvement
comprising a separate background layer of contrasting color and
having an outer edge disposed substantially around and beyond the
perimeter of said legend layer, said background layer comprising a
filler material, a first thermoplastic resin, a second
thermoplastic resin, plasticizer, wax, and pigment, said legend
layer and said separate background layer being adapted to be
affixed in cooperation with each other to a pavement surface to
provide a visible marking thereon, whereby said background layer
provides enhanced visual contrast to said legend layer.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a pavement marking system used to provide
a graphic or legend on a pavement surface. More particularly, this
invention relates to a pavement marking system used to provide a
graphic or legend on a pavement surface that is subject to frequent
resurfacing treatments, such as asphalt pavement surfaces in
parking lots.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is known to provide markings on pavement surfaces to give visual
information to drivers of vehicles thereon. Such markings are
typically in the form of lane striping and parking space lines. It
is also known to provide other graphics or legends on pavement
surfaces, such as turn arrows, speed limit information, "Enter" and
"Exit" words, and the like.
Such visual indicia commonly are provided as paint applied directly
to the pavement surface. Such painted indicia fade and wear away
with time, and such painted indicia must be repainted on a regular
basis, resulting in greater expenditures of materials, labor, and
time, as well as the inconvenience of having to close off the
pavement area while the paint is applied and is allowed to dry. As
an alternative to paint, it is known to provide lane striping in
the form of a tape material secured to a roadway surface with a
primer material as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,902,939,
4,082,587, 4,376,007, 4,708,518, or in the form of a preformed
material applied directly to a roadway surface, as disclosed in
U.S. Pat. No. 4,854,771. Other pavement marking materials are
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,988,555, and in PCT publications WO
99/04099 and WO 99/25928.
Another type of preformed pavement marking product is preformed
thermoplastic pavement marking materials sold by the assignee
herein under the trademark "HOTape.".RTM. These materials are
available in bright colors as either straight line goods or as
specialty graphics, such as corporate logos, handicap logos, and
word forms such as "Drive Thru" and "Thank You." These products are
supplied as pre-cut pre-formed thermoplastic pieces, which are
easily installed on a pavement surface, such as by fusing in place
with a propane-fueled magnum heat gun or flame torch. The bright
colors and durability of these products make them especially useful
in commercial parking lots where the graphics are used to establish
a corporate identity, such as parking lots and restaurant
drive-through lanes.
One impediment to the use of such graphic marking systems on
asphalt parking lots is the problems that arise when such parking
lots require surface treatments or resurfacing. Asphalt parking
lots must be surface treated more frequently than conventional
roadways. Such surface treatments typically involve the application
to the entire surface of the parking lot of a layer of a black
coating such as asphalt, simulated asphalt, paint, or other
materials used in pavement maintenance. First, a thick bead of the
black coating is placed generally around the perimeter of the
parking lot and spread such as with a "squeegee" to the edges of
the lot. The interior surface of the lot is then sprayed with the
black coating. Because the black coating has already been spread to
the edges of the lot perimeter, it is not necessary to spray the
black coating all the way to the edges of the lot, and adjacent
areas such as concrete or grass are thereby protected from staining
or other damage by the sprayed black coating.
It is not practical, however, to manually outline with the black
coating along the edges of thermoplastic legends or images already
on the parking lot surface in the form of words, numbers, corporate
logos, and the like. When the interior surface of a parking lot
having such thermoplastic surface markings is treated with a black
coating, then either the area having such markings is not treated
with the black coating, by placing a shield or cover over the
legend or image, or else the black coating is applied over the
entire surface including the thermoplastic markings, in which case
the thermoplastic markings could become discolored or otherwise
damaged by the black coating.
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a pavement
marking system suitable for providing legends such as corporate or
other logos or alphanumeric information on pavement surfaces that
from time to time require surface treatments such as a black
coating.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The instant invention relates to a pavement marking system for
providing a visible legend on a pavement surface, the system
comprising a background layer of a thermoplastic material in the
form of pre-cut, preformed thermoplastic for providing a
contrasting background color for the visible legend, the background
layer being adapted to be affixed to a pavement surface, and a
legend layer comprising at least one piece of pre-cut, preformed
thermoplastic in a color contrasting with the color of the
background layer, the legend layer capable of being affixed in
cooperation with the background layer to provide a visible message
on a pavement surface. The legend layer is affixed in cooperation
with the background layer to the extent that the legend layer can
be applied either directly to the background layer, or it can be
applied to the pavement surface in an in-laid manner through precut
holes of corresponding size and shape in the background layer.
Preferably, the outer edge of the background layer defines a simple
geometric shape such as a square, rectangle, or circle, depending
on the shape of the associated legend, and preferably the color of
the background layer is black. When an asphalt area such as a
parking lot and having thereon a pavement marking system of the
instant invention is surface treated with a black coating, the
black coating can be applied on the pavement surface up to and
slightly over the edge of the background layer, without contacting
the legend layer. The black coating can then be applied to the
remainder of the asphalt surface without coming in contact with any
part of the legend layer.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a pavement marking system of the
instant invention applied to a pavement surface.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a pavement
marking system of the instant invention as applied to a pavement
surface.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of
the pavement marking system of the instant invention as applied to
a pavement surface.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 illustrates a top plan view of a pavement marking system of
the instant invention for use in conveying the message "THANK YOU",
such as might be used on the pavement surface at the automobile
exit point of a fast-food restaurant drive-through lane. In this
embodiment of the invention, the legend layer 10 comprises each
individual letter of the message "THANK YOU", although for clarity
in the drawing the reference numeral has a reference line to only
one such letter. Each letter of the legend layer is a precut piece
of preformed thermoplastic material in one or more colors that
contrasts with the color of background layer 12.
Background layer 12 is a separate piece of pre-cut preformed
thermoplastic material having outer edges 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d,
and being of a color that contrasts with legend layer 10.
Background layer 12 can be applied to the associated pavement
surface by known means such as appropriate adhesives or fusing in
place with a heat gun or flame torch.
FIGS. 2 and 3 are cross-sectional views of alternative embodiments
of the pavement marking system of FIG. 1. In the embodiment of FIG.
2, background layer 12 is provided with a plurality of orifices 14,
only one of which is indicated in the drawing for sake of clarity,
each orifice 14 being pre-cut to correspond in size and shape with
one of the letters of legend layer 10. For installation, background
layer 12 is placed on the pavement surface where installation is
desired, and is affixed thereto such as with an adhesive or by
fusing with a heat gun or flame torch. The pre-cut letters of
legend layer 10 are then placed in an in-laid manner within the
precut orifices 14 of background layer 12, and affixed to the
pavement surface by any of the same techniques, i.e., adhesives or
by fusing with a heat gun or flame torch. Alternatively, background
layer 12 can be placed on the pavement surface and the letters of
legend layer 10 placed in their corresponding orifices 14 in
background layer 12; then the legend layer and background layer can
be affixed to the pavement surface simultaneously, such as by
fusing with a flame torch.
The embodiment of FIG. 2 may be preferred in those applications in
which it is desirable that the top surface of the legend layer 10
of the pavement marking system be substantially flush with the top
surface of the background layer 12. Such applications can include
those applications in which the pavement surface may be subjected
to snowplowing. In such applications, it also may be desirable for
the regions of background layer 12 adjacent to outer edges 12a,
12b, 12c, and 12d to be provided with a chamfer 15, to reduce the
likelihood of a snowplow blade prying into background layer 12 and
tearing or dislodging it.
In the embodiment of FIG. 3, there are no orifices in background
layer 12 corresponding to each of the letters of legend layer 10.
Instead, the letters of legend layer 10 are simply applied directly
onto the top surface of background layer 12. For installation,
background layer 12 is placed on the pavement surface where
installation is desired, and is affixed thereto such as with an
adhesive or by fusing with a heat gun or a flame torch. The pre-cut
letters of legend layer 10 are then placed directly onto the top
surface of background layer 12, and affixed thereto by any of the
same techniques, i.e., adhesives or by fusing with a heat gun or
flame torch. Further, although no chamfered edge 15 is illustrated
in FIG. 3, it will be appreciated that this optional feature could
be included in the embodiment of FIG. 3 if desired.
Use of the pavement marking system of the instant invention greatly
facilitates the surface treatment of the associated pavement such
as with a black coating. If the area of the background layer 12
between the edge of the legend layer 10 and the nearest edge 12a,
12b, 12c, or 12d of the background layer 12 is wide enough such as
at 18, then the black coating can be applied right up to and
slightly over those edges of background layer 12, without coming
into contact with legend layer 10. Alternatively, the black coating
can be applied to the pavement surface adjacent to the edges 12a,
12b, 12c, and 12d of background layer 12, and spread up to the
edges and outwardly therefrom such as with a squeegee tool. The
edges of background layer 12 preferably define a simple geometric
shape to facilitate this step. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3, the
shape of background layer 10 is generally rectangular, although the
invention is not limited to such shapes. Black coating is then
applied to the pavement surface up to and overlapping the
previously applied black coating around the pavement marking system
of the invention, so that the black coating does not have to come
into contact with either the legend layer 10 or the background
layer 12.
Background layer 12 is preferably black. This provides enhanced
visual contrast with legend layer 10, particularly as the
surrounding pavement surface fades over time to a light gray. Such
enhanced visual contrast provides greater conspicuity of the
message conveyed by the legend layer 10. A black background 12 also
will not show any stains or discoloration should any black coating
come in contact with the background layer.
In accordance with the invention, materials that can be used for
background layer 12 and legend layer 10 include those materials
used in certain preformed pavement marking products of the prior
art and sold by the assignee herein under the trademark "HOTape."
Such materials are durable, semi-flexible pre-cut pieces of
pre-formed thermoplastic.
The shapes of either the background layer 12 or the legend layer 10
can be alphanumeric or geometric.
The thickness of either the background layer 12 or the legend layer
10 may range from about 60 mils to about 125 mils. The thickness of
the two layers can be either the same or different, depending upon
the needs of a particular installation.
The surface area sizes of either the background layer 12 or the
legend layer 10 may vary at the option of the user.
The composition of either the background layer 12 or the legend
layer 10 may comprise calcium carbonate filler in the amount of
about 60-85 wt % and preferably about 70-80 wt %; a first
thermoplastic resin such as an alkyd resin in the amount of about
7-15 wt % and preferably about 8-10 wt %; a second thermoplastic
resin such as polyamide resin in the amount of about 5-10 wt % and
preferably about 6-8 wt %; plasticizer in the amount of about 3-8
wt % and preferably about 4-6 wt %; cullets dropped on the top
surface in the amount of about 1.5-5 wt % and preferably about 2-4
wt %; paraffin wax in the amount of about 1-4 wt % and preferably
about 1.5-2.5 wt %; anti-oxidant in the amount of less than about 2
wt % and preferably less than about 1 wt % and pigment in the
amount of less than about 5 wt % and preferably less than about 2
wt %.
The composition of either the background layer 12 or the legend
layer 10 may comprise other materials that can serve as equivalents
for those listed above. Suitable equivalents for the calcium
carbonate filler material include talc, mica, barytes, fiberglass,
glass beads, and cullets, all either alone or in any combination
with or without calcium carbonate, and with one or more additives,
suspending agents, thickeners, or extenders. Suitable equivalents
for the alkyd resin include hydro resins, polyester resins, maleic
resins, phenolic resins, epoxy resins, or acrylic resins and
combinations thereof. Suitable equivalents for the polyamide resin
include ethylene vinyl acetate resin, propylene vinyl acetate
resin, and polystyrene. Suitable equivalents for paraffin wax
include polyethylene wax and polypropylene wax, and combinations
thereof. Other ingredients such as leveling agents, anti-corrosion
agents and UV stabilizers can also be used.
The installation of both background layer 12 and legend layer 10
are described by the assignee in the brochure entitled "Application
of HotTape Precut Symbols and Legends". As described therein, the
area where the marking system is to be applied is measured and
marked. The thermoplastic material is laid out on the pavement
surface in the desired final position and outlined with chalk. The
thermoplastic material is removed, and the pavement area within the
chalk outline is heated. The thermoplastic material is placed on
the heated pavement surface, and fused into place.
The installation of both background layer 12 and legend layer 10
may also be accomplished with the use of a suitable adhesive or the
like.
Various modifications of the foregoing preferred embodiments will
be apparent to those skilled in the art of thermoplastic pavement
marking materials. Such modifications will be within the specified
scope of the invention, as defined in the claims appended
hereto.
* * * * *